1999 Jeep Wrangler

Date 1998/9/9 0:00:00 | Topic: Miscellaneous

The 1999 Jeep Wrangler, according to a Chrysler press release:

The 1999 Jeep® Wrangler keeps fun affordable. Whether it's off road, on the beach, in the city or just cruising with the top down, Wrangler offers all the fun in the world. Wrangler also is one of the most affordable small sport-utility vehicles with standard four-wheel drive.

New for 1999 are the vibrant, youthful colors Forest Green and Desert Sand. New interior colors include Camel, Agate and, for the Sahara versions, a combination of Camel and Dark Green. Both soft and hard tops are also available in a new color, Dark Tan.

In the interior, the 1999 Jeep Wrangler receives new rotary heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls. The new, large rotary dials improve feel over the previous slider-controlled system and are designed to be operated even with a gloved hand. Standard safety features include next-generation air bags, an on/off switch for the front passenger air bag, self-adjusting low tension three-point active restraints and height-adjustable shoulder belts. Wrangler's interior maintains its convenient "hose-out" capability, with removable carpets, slotted map holders, water-resistant seat fabrics and drain holes in the floor.

The Jeep Wrangler lineup for 1999 continues to offer SE, Sport and Sahara soft top models. A hard top with full steel doors, roll-up windows and tinted glass is available on all models. Also optional is a dual-top package that includes both a hard top and soft top in matching colors. Wrangler is available in right-hand drive versions for non-North American markets.

The Jeep Wrangler SE comes equipped with the standard 2.5-liter Power-Tech four-cylinder engine that develops 120 horsepower (87 kW) and 140 lb.-ft. (186 Nm) of torque. Sport and Sahara models are powered by the 4.0-liter Power-Tech six-cylinder engine, delivering 185 hp (130 kW) and 222 lb.-ft. (290 Nm). Both engines are coupled to a five-speed manual transmission as standard. A three-speed automatic transmission is optional. All power trains feature new engine sensors, a new "JTEC+" engine controller and a new catalyst for better emissions, improved reliability and enhanced durability.

For 1999, the Wrangler's rugged frame is redesigned, making it 16 pounds (8 kg) lighter than the previous model.

A reader relayed to us an interesting conversation he had with the parts manager of his local Jeep dealer. Both the reader and I aren't really sure what to make of the parts manager's comments, so I thought I'd throw this out there and see if anyone has further information. Email us if you have any info...

I was wheeling with the parts manager of my local Jeep dealer today and he said something interesting. The new V-8 with the JGC is what they call a modular engine, and they will not be stocking separate parts for it. If you, for example, need a new timing chain, you have to get a new engine...

...He said they hadn't got and weren't stocking parts for the new V-8 because "it's modular. If something breaks you have to replace the engine. If you break a timing chain, for example, you have to replace the engine." A few of us were surprised to hear that, probed him a bit further, and he stuck to the story. I've been wheeling with him a couple of times and he seems like a quiet, knowledgable, and no-bs kind of guy. Maybe he's misinformed but that's what he said. We joked that one better buy the extended warranty with the new 4.7L V-8.